Program Codes:
LAPOS.AA
Associate in Arts Degree
Explore careers, salaries, and local job opportunities >
The study of Political Science is also the study of political philosophy and the study of government. It has a kinship with the sciences of psychology, sociology, and economics, and also with humanities such as philosophy, history, and literature.
Political Science at Middlesex addresses practical questions: “Who has power?” “How are governments organized?” “How are decisions made?” “Who gets what?” It also considers ideas and values such as democracy, liberty, order, equality and justice.
Successful completion of the degree is a prelude to a career in Public Service (Government), the Non-Profit Sector, or the Practice of Law.
Upon completion of this program, students will be able to:
Below are required courses and recommended course groupings and sequences for program completion. Courses may have prerequisite or corequisite requirements. Check course descriptions for details.
Through a variety of writing projects requiring competence in clear, correct, and effective English, students use inferential and critical skills in the process of composing documented essays. Extensive reading materials serve as structural models and as the bases for discussion and for the writing of essays involving response, analysis, and synthesis.
RDG-011 may be taken as a co-requisite if not previously completed with a grade of "C" or better.
Survey of politics as a concept and political science as a professional discipline. Specific emphasis is placed on development of democratic institutions and values, and the comparative role of public opinion and citizen participation in modern representative democratic systems. Historical and recent United States federal elections are used as case studies.
Familiarizes students with mathematical models that occur in more advanced courses and in the areas of business, science and the social sciences using exploratory data analysis and statistical methods. Topics include descriptive statistics linear regression, probability and probability distribution, confidence intervals, and an introduction to hypothesis testing.
MAT-013 or appropriate score on the College placement test
Corequiste Exemption: Proficiency at the Level of Algebra II
Select one of the following History sequences:
HIS-121 and HIS-122 OR HIS-131 and HIS-132 OR HIS-221 and HIS-222
Introduction to the theory and practice of public address; the study of representative public addresses and the preparation and delivery of short speeches.
The development of clear, logical and effective speech communication is the goal of this basic discussion and debate course. The focus will be on reasoned decision making with the context of a free society. Topics will draw upon social values, personal responsibility and/or ethical behavior. Speech presentations will include large group discussions, panel discussions and debates that emphasize the ability to work in a team environment.
A grade of “C” or better in ENG-121
Sociology is the systematic study of social behavior and human groups. This course covers basic sociological theories and methods of social research, with special attention to the following topics: culture, values and norms, socialization, social structure, deviance, stratification, social institutions and differentiation by region, race, ethnicity, gender, age and class.
Select one of the following History sequences:
HIS-121 and HIS-122 OR HIS-131 and HIS-132 OR HIS-221 and HIS-222
The organization, powers and procedures of the United States national government are presented along with such topics as the role of political parties, electorate behavior and interest groups as a continuing process of United States politics.
Choose one 3-credit Mathematics course designated in the course descriptions as General Education MST (GE MST).
Choose two modern language courses in sequence from either: CHN, FRE, GER, HIN, ITA or SPA. For students who completed at least two years of high school study in one modern language, their level of language will be determined by a placement test (excluding SPA-242).
An examination of the logical experience through speech and images. Students will explore the elements of sound reasoning, the nature of arguments, and analyze rhetorical strategies and fallacies. The course enhances students’ critical thinking and promotes academic inquiry across all disciplines.
A study of the basic theories, methods, and problems of ethics and morality. Students will apply ethical principles and problem solving models to examples taken from everyday life.
An examination of the principles that establish and justify a society and determine the rights and responsibilities of individuals. Students will consider the application of these principles to such issues as justice, human rights, political and social institutions, and the world community. The general theme of this course will center on the relationship between the development of civilization and the improvement of human beings (morally, socially, and politically).
Choose one course designated in the course descriptions as General Education Diversity (GE DIV).
Suggested Diversity Electives:
SOC-205 - Diversity and Multiculturalism in US Society
HIS-260 - Dimensions of Prejudice, Genocide and the Holocaust
Choose one 3-credit Science course designated in the course descriptions as General Education MST (GE MST).
Choose two modern language courses in sequence from either: CHN, FRE, GER, HIN, ITA or SPA. For students who completed at least two years of high school study in one modern language, their level of language will be determined by a placement test (excluding SPA-242).
Introduces the foundations of economic analysis and explores the problems of macroeconomics, including national income, equilibrium analysis and fiscal and monetary policy. The public sector of the national economy is also stressed.
A passing score on the algebra portion of the College placement test or MAT-013
Microeconomics: includes such topics as the price system, allocation of resources, distribution of income and the prospects for economic change. International trade is also studied.
ECO-201 or written permission of the department chairperson
Provides a psychological basis for the understanding of human behavior. A survey of fundamentals that are necessary for subsequent psychology courses. Topics include but are not limited to: learning, motivation, cognition, personality, abnormal behavior, development and social psychology.
An introduction to the study of social problems in American society. Emphasis is given to social problems related to stratification and inequity of social groups and institutions. Students will analyze social problems from general, theoretical, and research-based point of view, as well as investigate why particular issues become defined as "problems".
Choose one course from the following areas: AFS, AGD, ART, ASL, BIO, CHM, CHN, CJU, COM, COR, CPT, DAN, DMA, EDU, ENG, FRE, FSC, GER, GLS, HCS, HED, HIN, HIS, IDC, ITA, JOU, LNC, MAD, MAT, MUS, PCP, PED, PHI, PHY, POL, POS, PSY, SCI, SOC, SPA, SPE, SSD and THE.
HED-150 or HED 200 are recommended.
Contact Name: Timothy Hack, department chair
Contact Phone: 732.906.2590
Contact Email: HSS@middlesexcc.edu
Department Web: https://www.middlesexcc.edu/history-social-science/
A Liberal Arts education helps students develop strong and ordered minds as they explore the world’s collected wisdom in literature, history, mathematics, science, philosophy and the arts. It teaches them to recognize and construct arguments, to appreciate diverse cultures and perspectives, and to have a sense of scholarship about the lives and events that have gone before. Liberal Arts emphasis on language helps students broaden their cultural perspective and become more aware of their own identity. Courses comprising a Liberal Arts education at Middlesex County College are the core of all liberal arts programs at the bachelor’s level. Students may select the general degree, the most flexible of all our Liberal Arts programs, or one of the many specialized options.
Algebra I is a prerequisite for all majors. Competency in Algebra I may be verified with a passing score on the College’s placement test or by completion of the appropriate course. Students must also have a grade of “C” or better in one year of high school laboratory science.
Once students complete required developmental coursework (if any), the degree can be completed in two years of full-time study. Students may shorten the amount of degree completion time by taking courses in the summer and winter sessions.